Awareness raising efforts are paying off: In many countries, climate change ranks high on the list of issues citizens consider most pressing for policymakers to address. And with climate impacts occurring at an accelerated pace, it is no wonder that the climate negotiations are under increased scrutiny.
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Participants at the 2023 Bonn Climate Change Conference have found the halls fuller than usual, with some noting there is an increased recognition of the importance of the mid-year talks as civil society organizations seek to remind governments of the real-world consequences of stalled progress under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
This scrutiny has been especially intense with regard to the issue of loss and damage finance. The normally calm conference halls were filled with protesters’ posters and chants as they urged delegates entering the opening session of the second Glasgow Dialogue to “fill the fund” currently under discussion. Who will feed the fund? Who will be eligible? What types of loss and damage will be covered? And how quickly will funds be disbursed? These are some of the key questions delegates need to sort out.
Scrutiny is also increasing regarding engagement in the UNFCCC process itself. The upcoming 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC is set to take place in the United Arab Emirates and many are expressing concerns over incoming COP 28 President Sultan Al Jaber’s ties to the fossil fuel industry. Civil society called for holding fossil fuel producers accountable in statements and protests on Thursday. Discussions have also called for addressing conflicts of interest more broadly. In relation to the work of the Subsidiary Bodies, this concern has been manifested in calls to ensure robust guidelines on corporate sponsorship are in place. Some have also called for a more nuanced perspective of non-state actor participation and identifying conflicts of interest.
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All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For the Bonn Climate Change Conference 2023, please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth.
Glasgow Dialogue
As delegates enter the Chamber Hall for discussions on the Glasgow Dialogue, members of civil society demonstrate outside saying 'we are watching you'
View of the dais during the Glasgow Dialogue
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
Nabeel Munir, SBI Chair
Glasgow Dialogue Co-Facilitators Richard Sherman, South Africa, and Outi Honkatukia, Finland
WIM Excom Co-Chairs Jerome Ilagan, the Philippines, and Frode Neergaard, Denmark
A slide highlights the milestones of the Glasgow Dialogue for 2023
Jacob Werksman, EU
Pedro Pedroso Cuesta, Cuba, on behalf of the G-77/China
Madeleine Rose Diouf Sarr, Senegal, on behalf of Least Developed Countries (LDCs)
Ben Abraham, New Zealand
Delegates follow the proceedings
Youth Stocktake
A Youth Stocktake is held to assess the challenges for youth inclusion in the UNFCCC processes and discuss a roadmap for the future
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
Sultan Al Jaber, COP 28 President-designate
Razan Al Mubarak, COP 28 High Level Champion
Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Youth Climate Champion
Clara Von Glasow, Youth NGOs (YOUNGO)
Wedad Al Hassan, COP 28 Presidency
Delegates take note of the statements
Informal Consultations Throughout the Day
Informal consultations on agriculture and food security
Informal consultations on support for developing country reporting
Co-Facilitators Eve Deakin, UK, and Sandra Motshwanedi, South Africa
Informal consultations on greenhouse gas data interface
Informal consultations on the mitigation ambition and implementation work programme
Co-Facilitators Kay Harrison, New Zealand, and Carlos Fuller, Belize
Informal consultations on emissions from fuel used for international aviation and maritime transport
Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) Dialogue
Delegates gather for the ACE Dialogue
Co-Moderators Jared Huntley, Australia, and Pemy Gasela, South Africa
Alice Gaustad, Adaptation Committee and ACE Focal Point, Norway
Delegates take note of the information presented
Delegates ask questions from the floor
Delegates break out into groups to discuss different methods for monitoring and evaluation reporting for ACE activities
Civil Society Actions
As discussions on the Glasgow Dialogue begin, members of civil society demonstrate in three separate locations simultaneously, calling for 'polluters to pay' and to 'fill the fund' for loss and damage
Members of civil society demonstrate against fossil fuel representatives being present during the climate negotiations
After dropping a banner saying 'end fossil fuels' in the main entrance hall, members of civil society demonstrate, calling for more ambitious climate action
Around the Venue
Razan Al Mubarak, COP 28 High Level Champion, speaks with Shamma Al Mazrui, UAE Youth Climate Champion
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
Matej Gasperic, Serbia, and Georg Børsting, Norway
Harry Vreuls, SBSTA Chair, speaks with delegates
